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Sri Lankan Cuisine

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Meet the Minnesota Makers

@meettheminnesotamakers

meettheminnesotamakers

*Connects you with MN businesses
*Gift guide, maker features, product reviews
*Website & Social Content Creator
michelle@meettheminnesotamakers.com
You know what really makes the “Shop Minnesota” gi You know what really makes the “Shop Minnesota” gift guide by Meet the Minnesota Makers Special? The people who dream, push, grow, create and wear all the hats to make these creative small businesses possible. As we creep towards the final countdown to the winter holidays, we’re excited to share a few more faces from the guide. Growing up, his family sponsored a number of international students who attended school at St Catherine’s in St. Paul. A student from India invited Mark Petersen’s family to her apartment for dinner. “She served us hot curry chicken on rice. I loaded up my plate and my mouth was on fire,” recalls Mark. “That was my first time knowing that food could be like that. I kept eating more. I was sweating from the spice and it was so flavorful. I was hooked. It was so delicious and interesting.”  Fast forward to when a couple of Mark’s uncles regularly made hot sauce as a hobby. They showed Mark the process and what they had learned to embrace the distinctive flavors of each variety of pepper. “What they taught me is the same process that I use today for all of the Facepunch sauces. It’s exactly what I demonstrate for inspectors,” says Mark. “I love having that connection back to my family and my childhood in every batch I make.”  Based in Stillwater, Facepunch Foods produces spice blends, six pepper snacks, and a gorgeous palette of hot sauces from mild to wild. @facepunchfoods is introducing a Quarterly Subscription box that is solely curated by Mark, the maker of Facepunch Foods. No selections needed, just enjoy the curated flavors of the moment by Mark! There will be sauces, seasonings, snacks, or even some Research & Development products not quite on the market!  Facepunch’s award-winning banana pepper sauce is the hot sauce to slip in the stocking of anyone who doesn’t think they like hot sauce. Its bright flavor makes a zingy salad dressing! Find Facepunch Foods products at Rose & Loon at Rosedale Mall, Shamrock’s in St Paul, Brine’s Market, Pinch n Rub Spice and Tea Hub, and Jordan’s Meat & Deli or at www.facepunchfoods.com Explore all 141 makers at https://meetthe minnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift
Feeling frazzled by the countdowns? Noticing the Feeling frazzled by the countdowns? Noticing the pressure to buy fast with promised convenience? Here’s a different message that matters to your community. There’s still time to shop locally. The “Shop Minnesota” Guide by Meet the Minnesota Makers includes retail locations throughout the state and listings of makers pop up market events. There are still local markets to visit this weekend. Many of the makers listed in our guide offer experience gifts or gift certificates for future use. People are still using our guide to choose unique and thoughtful gifts that benefit both the maker and the recipient. It never stops being a thrill to look at our engagement map and find the blue dots pulsing. (Swipe through to see what I mean.) Don’t let the last minute panic click ads get to you. There’s still time to shop differently this winter holiday season. Visit our 141 makers at meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift
How many of these creative local businesses did yo How many of these creative local businesses did you already know? Our platinum sponsors are an amazing group of Minnesota small businesses.  Swipe through for a preview of their gift guide listings. Browse meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift to view their full listings. Today we celebrate the unique products, creative spirits and community generosity of…. (drum roll please) @fivepinescandleco (Ely) @keepsakecidery (Dundas) @nashkenativegames (Ham Lake) The “Shop Minnesota” is accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Our sponsors’ support makes a project of this size happen while keeping it accessible to businesses of all sizes. A local gift makes a difference.  Make your neighbors’ dreams come true when you choose to support their business. Choosing local is more than a slogan. It builds community strength. Swipe through to learn more about these local businesses. Comment Gift Guide below to receive a direct link to the guide.
It may be frightful outside but the makers markets It may be frightful outside but the makers markets, farmers markets, and festive pop ups will be cozy and inviting. These in-person shopping options will be worth braving the cold! Find the makers from the @meettheminnesotamakers “Shop Minnesota” gift guide at these markets throughout Minnesota. Did we miss your market? Tag it in the comments section to help shoppers find you on Small Business Saturday. Want to skip the snow and shop from home? Browse the our gift guide at meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift Many of our local makers ship or offer local pickup/delivery. See what local treasures you find when you shop locally.
What an amazing treat to gather with @stephaniesdi What an amazing treat to gather with @stephaniesdish and @stephaniemarch on the @weeklydishmn on @mytalk1071 for their annual gift show. They invited me to share food and beverage highlights from our “Shop Minnesota” guide last weekend.  Here are the incredible makers included: @cannonbelles: Cheese - Gouda, Cranberry Cheddar and Fresh Cheese Curds @earthtanicsb: Holiday Cookies, Homemade Jams, Stollen, Seasonal Monthly Menus @keepsakecidery : Natural Ciders and Wines, Gift Cards, Keepsake Club Cider Membership @hazelheartfarms : Hazelnut Gift Box—contains hazelnut oil, roasted hazelnuts, hazelnut tea, salted hazelnuts, spicy maple hazelnuts, and Sweet Salty Midwest Munch @shedthebee : Seasonal Honey; 3-Jar Flight Gift Boxes; Hot Shed Honey @nhb_bakehouse : Bûche de Noël (GF/V Yule log cake), GF/V Bakehouse cookies, GF/V Donut mini cakes Listen to the full segment, including gift ideas from Crocus Hill at: https://www.mytalk1071.com/episode/12-6-25-hr-1-cooks-of-crocus-hills-and-minnesota-makers Thank you to all 141 makers who make Minnesota’s small business landscape so vibrant (and delicious). Your stories deserve to be told. Thank you again to Stephanie and Stephanie for including our stories as a part of their annual gift show. We so appreciate you sharing your platform with Minnesota’s creative food and beverage makers, highlighting their local sourcing and creativity.  Shop their products: https://meettheminnesotamakers.com/holiday-gift/
If only there was a way to support local businesse If only there was a way to support local businesses on a snow day… There is! We have done the shopping for you. Browse the @meettheminnesotamakers “Shop Minnesota” gift guide to find 141 Minnesota-based businesses. The guide includes art, artisanal goods, farm products, candles, winter hats, premium liqueurs, cooking classes, puzzle rooms, chocolate, sassy hostas, cozy clothing, bath and body care, pickles, baked goods, and, well, much, much more. Many of the businesses in the guide ship so you can truly shop locally from home. Many others have local pick up or delivery. Set a date for after the plow has come through. Find something in the guide you want for yourself? Select it as a favorite and email a hint to someone else. “Shop local” isn’t just a feel good slogan. It determines whether communities thrive or decline. Let’s thrive together, Minnesota. Comment gift guide to receive a direct link to the guide. MTMM newsletter subscribers have access to exclusive discount codes for nearly half the makers in the guide. #shopmn #mngifts #giftguide #shoplocal #shoplocally #meetthemnmakers
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